cochlear implant

The original sign that was used for this concept was
to jab behind the ear with a "bent-V" handshape.
Some people do the sign with a "bent-U" handshape.

A short while back I noticed a 14-year old girl (who attends CSD-Fremont)
using a "bent-U" on the cheekbone in-front of the ear (almost in the ear
canal) to mean "HEARING AID." So I can see how using the "bent-U"
could become popular behind the ear to mean "Cochlear Implant.

I notice that when I do the sign with a "bent-V" I tend to use a single
movement--which causes the sign to mean "implanted." As in, "He has
been implanted." Sort of makes it seem like we are talking about
someone in whom aliens have taken an interest.

When I do the sign with a "bent-U" I tend to use a double movement which
contributes to the sign functioning as a "noun."

Initially the use of "CI" was simply a "euphemism." As time passed,
the sign "CI" gained widespread use.